Taputimu, American Samoa

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Taputimu
Le'ala Shoreline National Natural Landmark.jpg
Leala Shoreline National Natural Landmark
American Samoa location map.svg
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Taputimu
Coordinates: 14°21′37″S170°46′23″W / 14.36028°S 170.77306°W / -14.36028; -170.77306
TerritoryAmerican Samoa
Island Tutuila Island
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
709

Taputimu is a village in southwestern Tutuila Island in American Samoa. It is the nearest village to the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, although the main access is from the neighboring village of Futiga. [1] It is home to Leala Shoreline National Natural Landmark and Leala Sliding Rock. [2] Leala Sliding Rock is a natural rock formation between Vailoatai and Taputimu, which is a scenic landmark as well as a natural playground or slide. It was created by the ebb and flow of the ocean; the erosion has created a smooth shoreline site.[ citation needed ] It is located in Tualatai County in the Western District of Tutuila.

Contents

Leʻala Shoreline National Natural Landmark is 35 acres (14 ha) and was designated in 1972. [3] Leala Sliding Rock is accessible from Taputimu. Taputimu Tide Pools are located nearby and are accessible for swimming at low tide. [4]

The name of the village, Taputimu, is derived from the Samoan language and translates into English as “Sacred Rain". [5]

History

In 1932, Governor George Landenberger founded the American Samoa Department of Agriculture. The department initiated an experimental farm in Taputimu; however, the project saw limited success due to inexperienced management. [6]

In the early 1930s, Samoan craftsmen built traditional fales on an oval-shaped plot at Taputimu, situated close to the ocean. Alongside these, a wooden schoolhouse and a residence for the teacher were constructed under the initiative of the Barstow Foundation. The Taputimu school was designed to accommodate only 18 boys, who were selected by the Governor based on recommendations from the matai, with an aim to include representatives from all counties whenever possible. Emphasizing quality, the selection process ensured that no boy was excluded due to having a part-Samoan heritage. The curriculum offered a blend of Samoan history, culture, and arts, alongside English language studies, Western legal principles, concepts of private property and personal rights, as well as lessons on the government, history, geography, and social structures of Europe and the United States. The school was given a five-year period to demonstrate its effectiveness. When it commenced operations in September 1935, it marked the first instance of private philanthropy in American Sāmoa, aside from the Red Cross, and quickly proved its value. [7]

Demographics

YearPopulation [8]
2020 709
2010 841
2000 640
1990 520
1980 434
1970 391
1960 234
1950 212
1940 169
1930 101

From 1980 to 1990, Taputimu's population grew from 434 to 520 persons, which represented an annual growth rate of 1.98%. The proportion of inhabitants who were born abroad nearly tripled between 1985 and 1990. About 105 homes were located in the village in 1995. As of 1995, Taputimu was home to five commercial businesses which included four grocery stores. [9]

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Leʻala Shoreline is located near Taputimu, just west of Fagatele Point, on Tutuila Island in American Samoa. It is a U.S. National Natural Landmark. The coast is marked by rocky outcroppings, deep and shallow surge channels, as well as tide pools and a mixture of coconut, scrub and grass forest. Sliding Rock is located nearby. Leʻala Shoreline is a young flow of basalt, inter-bedded with layers of tuff that illustrate erosion by wave action. The area is covered with dense tropical vegetation. Leʻala Shoreline was designated a U.S. National Natural Landmark in 1972. The National Natural Landmark covers 35 acres (14 ha).

References

  1. ↑ World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1991). IUCN Directory of Protected Areas in Oceania. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Pages 293-294. ISBN   9782831700694.
  2. ↑ Stanley, David (2004). South Pacific. Moon Handbooks. Page 480. ISBN   9781566914116.
  3. ↑ "National Natural Landmarks - National Natural Landmarks (U.S. National Park Service)".
  4. ↑ Clayville, Melinda (2021). Explore American Samoa: The Complete Guide to Tutuila, Aunu'u, and Manu'a Islands. Page 69. ISBN 9798556052970.
  5. ↑ Churchill, W. (1913). "Geographical Nomenclature of American Samoa". Bulletin of the American Geographical Society, 45(3), page 193. Retrieved on December 6, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.2307/199273.
  6. ↑ Gray, John Alexander Clinton (1960). Amerika Samoa: A History of American Samoa and its United States Naval Administration. United States Naval Institute. Page 235. ISBN 9780870210747.
  7. ↑ Gray, John Alexander Clinton (1960). Amerika Samoa: A History of American Samoa and its United States Naval Administration. United States Naval Institute. Page 236. ISBN 9780870210747.
  8. ↑ "American Samoa Statistical Yearbook 2016" (PDF). American Samoa Department of Commerce.
  9. ↑ http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/sam/Pedersen2000vol2AS.pdf (Pages 30-23, 30-25 and 30-26)

14°21′37″S170°46′23″W / 14.36028°S 170.77306°W / -14.36028; -170.77306


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